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Felix Platter and a historical perspective of the meningioma
Shyamal C Bir1, Tanmoy Kumar Maiti1, Papireddy Bollam1
1Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health-Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport 71130-3932, USA.
Introduction:
Felix Platter is one of the pioneer anatomists and physicians of the 16th century who described various human diseases including meningioma. In this historical article, we present the details of Platter's life and his pioneering work on meningioma.
First Case Of Meningioma:
In 1614, Dr. Platter described the first case of meningioma. He described the tumor as a round, fleshy mass shaped like an acorn and as large as a medium-sized apple, and full of holes. The tumor was covered with its own membrane, had no connection with the matters of the brain, and left behind a cavity after removal. This first clear description of an intracranial tumor is most consistent with encapsulated meningioma. The succeeding scholar, Harvey Cushing, coined the term "meningioma" for this tumor; neurosurgeons today describe the tumor as "parasagittal or falcine meningioma."
Other Contributions:
In addition to his contribution to meningioma study, Dr. Platter was also the first to describe Dupuytren's disease, hypertrophy of the thalamus, and the retina as the sensory organ of the eye. He contributed to the germ theory of disease and gave substantial accounts of mental illnesses, gynecological disorders, and certain dermatological conditions.
Publications:
Dr. Platter published numerous accounts on various diseases. In 1614 he reported the case of meningioma in the book entitled "Platerus Observations in Hominis". Additionally, Dr. Platter published his work, 'Praxeos Medicae,' which contains his most important contribution on psychiatry and his classification of psychiatric diseases.
Conclusion:
Because of his many contributions to neuroscience, particularly his identification of meningioma, Dr. Platter should be highly credited as a pioneer in the field of neurosurgery.
Insights
Felix Platter first described meningioma in 1614, detailing its characteristics. His work significantly advanced understanding of this brain tumor and neurosurgery.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Neurosurgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Felix Platter, a 16th-century physician, made significant contributions to understanding human diseases.
- This article reviews Platter's life and his pioneering descriptions of various medical conditions.
- Focus is placed on his early work on meningioma, a type of brain tumor.
Discussion:
- In 1614, Platter provided the first detailed account of an intracranial tumor, consistent with encapsulated meningioma.
- His description accurately characterized the tumor's appearance and its distinct membrane.
- The term 'meningioma' was later coined by Harvey Cushing, building upon Platter's foundational observations.
Key Insights:
- Platter's 1614 publication, 'Platerus Observations in Hominis,' documented the first known case of meningioma.
- His work also included early descriptions of Dupuytren's disease, thalamic hypertrophy, and the retina's sensory function.
- Platter's 'Praxeos Medicae' significantly contributed to psychiatry and disease classification.
Outlook:
- Felix Platter's early identification and description of meningioma highlight his pioneering role in neurosurgery.
- His comprehensive medical accounts laid groundwork for future research in various specialties.
- Platter's legacy underscores the importance of historical contributions to modern medical understanding.